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Venice

Practical info Venice, Italy

Getting around the city

As you might expect from a city famous for its canals, water is the main medium of transport in Venice. Water buses, known as Vaporetti, ply the Grand Canal and make scheduled stops. The Vaporetti are a far cheaper way to get around Venice than the famous gondolas, piloted by stripe-shirted gondoliers, who for an extra fee will serenade passengers. Travelling down the Grand Canal is obligatory but the Vaporetti are well-suited for this purpose. Once ashore the only way to explore is on foot, through the narrow alleys and lively squares; there are no cars at all in Venice. Make sure you have a good map as the city can be confusingly labyrinthine.

Time

GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the last Sunday in October).

Electricity

Electrical current in Italy is 230 volts, 50Hz. A variety of plugs are in use, including the European-style two-pin plug.

Currency

The Euro (EUR) is the official currency, which is divided into 100 cents. Those arriving in Italy with foreign currency can obtain Euros through any bank, ATM or bureau de change. ATMs are widespread. Credit cards are accepted in upmarket establishments and shops around the cities. Banks are closed on weekends, but tend to have better rates than casas de cambios.

Communication

The international access code for Italy is +39. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). All numbers must be preceded by 0, whether originating in Italy or out, unless calling a mobile phone. City/area codes are in use, e.g. 02 for Milan and 06 for Rome. There can be high surcharges on calls made from hotels and it is generally cheaper to use a calling card. Public telephone boxes take phone cards for local and international calls, which can be bought from newsagents. The local mobile phone operators use GSM networks and have roaming agreements with most international operators. Internet cafes are available in the main towns and resorts.

Climate

Venice has a Mediterranean climate and experiences very high humidity, with hot weather in July and August, the height of summer. Average temperatures in summer (June to August) usually range between 64°F (18°C) and 82°F (33°C), dropping in winter (December to February) to between 32°F (0°C) and 37°F (3°C). Venice often experiences thunderstorms and rain showers which, particularly in spring and autumn, tend to cause flooding. It is best to pack waterproof shoes or boots to avoid a soaking in these seasonal floods. Spring, summer and autumn are all considered peak tourist season, with April to October being the busiest. However, it is a popular destination all year round and can get uncomfortably crowded.

Venice Marco Polo Airport

Getting to the city

Buses go to the Venice-Santa Lucia railway station, via Piazzale Roma, every 20 minutes. The ATVO FlyBus and ACTV buses leave regularly for the Piazzale Roma and Mestre Railroad station. The Alilaguna boats are a faster way into central Venice. The dock is a 5-10 minute walk from the airport.

Car rental

Airport taxi's

Both regular and water taxis are available from the airport. An authorised (yellow) taxi cab to the city centre takes between 40 minutes and an hour.

Facilities

Facilities at the airport include ATMs, currency exchange facilities, a postbox, banks, a tax-free customs service, VIP lounges, a business centre, a prayer room, information desks, travel agencies, baby-changing facilities and first aid facilities. There are also a range of shopping and dining options.

Parking

Short-term parking is available in P1 and P2 and starts at €6 for the first two hours or €9 for the first six hours. Long-term options are available in car parks 4 and 5 and range from €5.50 per day to €10 per day depending upon season and parking lot. All parking lots are within easy walking distance of the terminal.